In conjunction with Community Impact Day, and as part of Jewish Tidewater’s celebration of Jewish Book Month, community members and clergy gathered on the Sandler Family Campus to explore the importance of Jewish books, the distinction between books of a Judaic nature and holy books—such as siddurim, chumashim, and volumes of Talmud that contain the name of God—and the Jewish custom of geniza, on Sunday, Nov. 23. The event was co-sponsored by the Board of Rabbis and Cantors of Hampton Roads and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Jewish Innovation steering committee.
Geniza refers to the practice of respectfully storing sacred texts and ritual objects that are no longer usable. Because these items contain the name of God, they cannot simply be discarded. Implicit in this tradition is the understanding that holy books and ritual objects, like people, possess an element of sacred life. Therefore, when they become worn or unusable, they must be treated with dignity and care, just as loved ones are honored at the end of life.
Following the learning session, the group traveled to Mikro Kodesh Cemetery in Chesapeake, where hundreds of holy books were buried in a specially prepared, extra-large gravesite. These included a few Torah scrolls, tefillin, talleisim, and Torah mantles that had accumulated in local congregations, as well as many items brought from individual homes. Collection boxes had been placed at the Sandler Family Campus and at participating congregations to make it easy to contribute items for burial.
Geniza burial ceremonies often become informal “book swaps,” and this year was no exception. Many attendees were seen reclaiming and rescuing books that could still be used, giving them renewed life and purpose.
Participating in the teaching and/or the cemetery service were Rabbis Ellen Jaffe-Gill, Michael Panitz, Jacob Herber, and Ari Oliszewski, along with Cantors Elihu Flax and David Proser. Campus staff members Joe Frissora, Bernard Scott, and Jason Woodard operated the backhoe and assisted with moving the large number of boxes with great care and respect.
